O2 Adds Flat Rate Mobile Data Packages

It may have been about 18 months behind T-Mobile in getting a flat rate mobile data package on the market, but at least O2 has now...

Today sees the network announce the 'O2 Web Bolt On' - a package available to both Pay & Go and Pay Monthly customers for £7.50pm. It comes with a 200MB allowance cap, which O2 calculates is the equivalent of about 1,400 web pages.

If that isn't enough however there 'O2 Web Max' which lets customers connect their handset to a laptop or use a data card. This retails for the heftier sum of £30pm but comes with a full 3GB allowance.

Finally, Blackberry owners get 'Unlimited Blackberry' a package which mimics the O2 Web Bolt On but costs slightly more at £10pm. All packages will be available from 1 October.

Ultimately this move was inevitable following the iPhone launch and its selection of flat rate data tariffs. Today's packages certainly aren't quite as generous as either T-Mobile (which provides a 1GB allowance for its £7.50pm Web n Walk option) or 3 (£5pm for 1GB on its X-Series plan) but it does at least mean another UK network is onboard.

And that, my tech loving amigos, is vital if this mobile web revolution is going to start making real progress...